Shoulder Replacement

Shoulder replacement surgery is a procedure that replaces a worn out or damaged shoulder with an artificial joint (prosthesis). The shoulder joint can become damaged to the point where it requires replacement due to arthritis (osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis), an injury that damages or tears the tissues in the shoulder, a badly broken bone near the shoulder joint, or a tumor in or around the shoulder. Shoulder joint arthroplasty (surgery to replace or restore a joint) can help to improve range of motion, lessen joint pain, increase shoulder strength and improve the patient's quality of life.

BWH offers world-class shoulder replacement care.

Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) is a leading provider of partial and total shoulder replacement services. Each year, our experienced orthopaedic surgeons provide expert shoulder replacement surgeries that help improve the quality of life of 200 patients with severe shoulder joint damage and pain.

Shoulder replacement services at BWH include:

Total shoulder replacement surgery: replaces parts of both the humerus and scapula of the shoulder joint with prosthetic material such as metal, polyethylene or ceramics

Partial shoulder replacement surgery: replaces parts of either the humerus or the scapula

Inverse arthroplasty: used to treat irreparable rotator cuff damage, this procedures uses a unique prosthesis design to shift control of shoulder movement from the rotator cuff to the deltoid muscle

In addition, shoulder repair procedures such as minimally invasive shoulder arthroscopy may be an option to repair a variety of shoulder joint conditions, including rotator cuff and labral repair.

The Advanced Center for Cartilage Repair, Shoulder & Sports Injuries (ACCSS) at BWH is the first of its kind in New England. Our experienced staff treats patients with sports and shoulder injuries as well as cartilage injuries, joint preservation, joint repair, and replacement procedures for shoulders, hips and knees. Our comprehensive Sports Medicine Services include surgical repair of damaged ligaments, including ACL reconstruction surgery.

World-class shoulder replacement and other orthopaedic surgeries at BWH.

Our orthopaedic program at BWH has been consistently recognized by US News & World Report as one of the top-ranking programs in the country. Our orthopaedic surgical staff continually strives to raise the standards of care for arthroplastic surgery, including shoulder replacement. We also provide many innovative services, including cartilage regeneration, in which a patient's own healthy cartilage is used to regenerate unhealthy cartilage in the knee, ankle or shoulder.

Patients seeking surgery for replacement or repair of damaged shoulder joints can see one of our more than 25 orthopaedic specialists at four locations in the greater Boston area. Our experienced staff encourages patients' active participants in their care and recovery while providing them with expert, comprehensive care. Each year, our specialists in orthopaedic surgery, physiatry, rheumatology, and rehabilitation, work together with dedicated nurses, physician assistants, and other professionals, to provide state-of-the-art assessment and treatment for thousands of patients.